What’s the Best Way to Exfoliate Dry Winter Skin? An Expert Answers!

Get glowing & hydrated skin this winter with these three simple and safe steps

Inputs by: Dr Blossom Kochhar, Pioneer in Aromatherapy and Founder, Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies

Winter can be beautiful, but your skin often feels otherwise. The cold air, low humidity, and constant indoor heating tend to pull moisture out of the skin, leaving it dry, tight, and sometimes even irritated. Exfoliation is essential in this season, as it helps clear away dead skin cells, smooth texture, and bring back a natural glow. But the goal is to exfoliate smartly and gently so your skin stays nourished, not stripped.

Start with a gentle, creamy cleanser

Before exfoliating, it's essential to prepare your skin with a gentle, hydrating cleanser. A simple and effective homemade option is a mix of fresh milk cream with a pinch of turmeric. The lactic acid in milk naturally loosens dirt and impurities, while turmeric helps calm inflammation and brighten dull skin. This step ensures your skin is soft, soothed, and ready for exfoliation.

Pick the right exfoliator for winter

In winter, less is more. Select a gentle, natural scrub that gently removes dead skin without disrupting your skin's moisture barrier. One of the most skin-friendly options is an oatmeal and sandalwood scrub. Just blend a teaspoon of oatmeal with a quarter teaspoon of sandalwood powder.

Oatmeal gently buffs away dead skin cells while locking in moisture.
Sandalwood cools, calms, and reduces redness, making it perfect for sensitive, winter-stressed skin.

Massage the scrub in light circular motions for about 1–2 minutes, especially around the nose, chin, and forehead, where buildup is more common. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Add deep overnight nourishment

Once your skin is exfoliated, it's at its most receptive. This is the perfect time for deep hydration. A soothing nighttime blend you can try at home includes one tablespoon of milk cream mixed with a few drops of glycerine, castor oil, and rose water. Apply it to your face, neck, and hands before bed. By morning, your skin feels soft, plump, and fully replenished.

Dr. Kochhar's Winter Exfoliation Tips

Avoid over-exfoliating; once or twice a week is sufficient.
Always moisturise right after exfoliating.
Stay hydrated and include healthy fats in your diet to support your skin from within.
Use lukewarm water for cleansing; hot water accelerates moisture loss.

Winter exfoliation should be gentle and thoughtful. The idea isn’t to scrub away your skin’s natural oils but to reveal freshness while keeping moisture intact. When exfoliation is paired with proper nourishment, your skin stays smooth, healthy, and glowing—no matter how cold it gets.

Cover Credits: Instagram @kiaraaliaadvani